PHOTOS: Incredible scenes as PNG volcano spews ash and smoke into sky

Mt Tavurvur in Papua New Guinea erupted this morning for the second time in two years. (Photo: Philip Onaga)

A volcano in Papua New Guinea has erupted overnight, with a cloud of smoke and ash billowing from the mountain and lava being shot into the air.

The volcano, on the tip of New Britain island, has erupted several times throughout the 20th Century. (Photo: Philip Onaga)

Mt Tavurvur, located in Rabaul, has erupted several times throughout the 20th Century with its last eruption happening last year.

Smoke and ash from Mt Tavurvur has billowed from the volcano as it roared into life. (Photo: Philip Onaga)

Five people were killed and the local airport was destroyed when the volcano erupted in 1994, however PNG authorities are yet to officially comment on whether this ongoing incident poses a similar threat.

The PNG government has reported that ash from the volcano is currently billowing toward the island's north coast. (Twitter/@Mangiwantok)

Mt Tavurvur had already started smoking in the week's leading up to the eruption. (Twitter/RumetDW)

The smoke and ash from Mt Tavurvur casts a dark cloud over an otherwise tranquil island paradise. (Twitter/@hhnamani)